MAP: Find out which Massachusetts high schools may have to change mascots

Saturday

Jun 10, 2017 at 9:00 AMJun 10, 2017 at 9:43 AM

Caitlyn Kelleher Wicked Local staff @CMKelleher

Nearly 40 public high schools in Massachusetts may have to change their mascot and/or their logo if a bill being debated on Beacon Hill passes.

The bill, proposed by state Sen. Barbara L’Italien, would prohibit the use of Native American names and symbols for school mascots and logos.

The majority of the schools which could be impacted are located east of I-495, including Foxborough (Warriors), Winchester (Sachem), Amesbury (Amesbury Indian) and Medfield (Warriors). The first public hearing on this bill was held on June 6 before the Joint Committee on Education.

"We feel that Native American mascots are demeaning and perpetuate a myth that Native Americans are relics of the past who no longer exist," said Shauna Manning, representing the Massachusetts Teachers Association, which supports the bill.

The bill, “Prohibition on the use of Native American mascots by public schools in the Commonwealth,” outlines the restrictions.

The bill defines a “Native American mascot” as a “name, symbol, or image that depicts or refers to an American Indian tribe, individual, custom, or tradition that is used by a public school as a mascot, nickname, logo, letterhead, or team name.” It lists specific names that would be prohibited: “Redskins, Savages, Indians, Indianettes, Chiefs, Chieftains, Braves or Redmen.”

The proposed bill would include all schools or programs operated by a school district, education service districts and public charter schools.

Lisa Thomas, one of two Tewksbury residents who petitioned L'Italien to file legislation that would impose the ban, told the Joint Committee on Education Tuesday that she grew concerned the town's Redmen mascot would teach her children that "stereotypes and caricatures were OK."

Some see the use of the names and the logos as a tribute. Arlington High School outlines why the mascot is the Spy Ponders and why a Native American is at the center of its logo on its website.

It states the area was originally called Menotomy, which translated to “swift running water” from the language of the Native Americans in the area.

“‘Spy Ponders’ derives from Spy Pond. This body of water serves as a significant historical, cultural and geographical landmark in Arlington,” reads the school’s website. The description continues, “Under Coach (Ed) Burns's tenure, the ice hockey team spent many days and nights practicing on the pond's frozen surface. Their success gained significant recognition, and a Boston newspaper termed them the ‘Spy Ponders.’ Their success, combined with the growth and success of Arlington Athletics has left this unique and historical name as the identity of AHS student-athletes.”

The bill is before the Joint Education Committee. The committee members will have to decide whether to recommend the bill to the House and to the Senate for a vote.